O how shall I, unskilfu’, try
     The poet’s occupation? 
     The tunefu’ powers, in happy hours,
     That whisper inspiration;
     Even they maun dare an effort mair
     Than aught they ever gave us,
     Ere they rehearse, in equal verse,
     The charms o’ lovely Davies.

     Each eye it cheers when she appears,
     Like Phoebus in the morning,
     When past the shower, and every flower
     The garden is adorning: 
     As the wretch looks o’er Siberia’s shore,
     When winter-bound the wave is;
     Sae droops our heart, when we maun part
     Frae charming, lovely Davies.

     Her smile’s a gift frae ’boon the lift,
     That maks us mair than princes;
     A sceptred hand, a king’s command,
     Is in her darting glances;
     The man in arms ’gainst female charms
     Even he her willing slave is,
     He hugs his chain, and owns the reign
     Of conquering, lovely Davies.

     My Muse, to dream of such a theme,
     Her feeble powers surrender: 
     The eagle’s gaze alone surveys
     The sun’s meridian splendour. 
     I wad in vain essay the strain,
     The deed too daring brave is;
     I’ll drap the lyre, and mute admire
     The charms o’ lovely Davies.

What Can A Young Lassie Do Wi’ An Auld Man

     What can a young lassie, what shall a young lassie,
     What can a young lassie do wi’ an auld man? 
     Bad luck on the penny that tempted my minnie
     To sell her puir Jenny for siller an’ lan’. 
     Bad luck on the penny that tempted my minnie
     To sell her puir Jenny for siller an’ lan’!

     He’s always compleenin’ frae mornin’ to e’enin’,
     He hoasts and he hirples the weary day lang;
     He’s doylt and he’s dozin, his blude it is frozen,—­
     O, dreary’s the night wi’ a crazy auld man! 
     He’s doylt and he’s dozin, his blude it is frozen,
     O, dreary’s the night wi’ a crazy auld man.

     He hums and he hankers, he frets and he cankers,
     I never can please him do a’ that I can;
     He’s peevish an’ jealous o’ a’ the young fellows,—­
     O, dool on the day I met wi’ an auld man! 
     He’s peevish an’ jealous o’ a’ the young fellows,
     O, dool on the day I met wi’ an auld man.

     My auld auntie Katie upon me taks pity,
     I’ll do my endeavour to follow her plan;
     I’ll cross him an’ wrack him, until I heartbreak him
     And then his auld brass will buy me a new pan,
     I’ll cross him an’ wrack him, until I heartbreak him,
     And then his auld brass will buy me a new pan.

The Posie

     O luve will venture in where it daur na weel be seen,
     O luve will venture in where wisdom ance has been;
     But I will doun yon river rove, amang the wood sae green,
     And a’ to pu’ a Posie to my ain dear May.